On eBay Now...X-RARE NW Coast Shaman's Eel Totem Pipe 1800s WA For Sale
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X-RARE NW Coast Shaman's Eel Totem Pipe 1800s WA:
$9750.00
X-RARE Native American Shaman’s Ceremonial Pipe
from the
Pacific Northwest: Washington State
Shaman’s Totem “Wolf Eel” Pipe
c. 1750—1850
Note:
I certify that this Native American Pipe was reportedly traded for in WA, with the owner's permission in the 1800s and has been in the family’s private collection for over 100 years.
Local and university museums in Washington State were contacted about donation of this item, but have refused to add it to their collections.
NW Wolf Eel Pipe used by Shaman
Estimated Date: 1750—1850
Find Location: Northwest Coast, WA, 19th Century Find
Material: Pottery
Approximate Measurements:
Length: 6”
Width: 2”
Height: 2”
Weight: 11.3 oz.
This incredible Pipe has the powerful Northwest Coast Shaman’s is made of pottery in the shape of a monster eel-like fish called a “Wolf Eel.”
They believed that only shaman healers could feast on and worship the Wolf Eel as a totem, thus we know this pipe was almost certainly made for and used by a Native American shaman.
Animal figures like this large fish pottery made the pipe itself come alive with protective powers (totem or amulet) against evil spirits who were thought to dwell everywhere. The fierce, sinuous body of the fish was purposefully carved to protect and empower the Shaman who used this pipe to help establish communion with his spirit helpers and to protect himself during his trance from evil spirits like the Land Otter. It is a very powerful and spiritual piece!
The eel-like Wolf Eel was mysterious, intuitive and is the epitome of transformation. Pacific NW Shaman would transform themselves with the help of the eel totem to fight off evil spirits like the Land Otter.
Pipes were a very important piece of shamanic equipment along the entire Northwest Coast. The rising smoke was thought to be essential for a shaman to attract spirits to the séances and safely carry his spirit to other worlds and back to earth. Wherever it was used, a supernatural presence was thought to be in attendance.
This 19th century Shaman’s Wolf Eel Pipe is EXTREMELY RARE and only a few are known to exist in Native American museums and fine private collections. This is your chance to own such a treasure.
This astonishing, eel-like, fish effigy pipe comes from an old private collection on in the Pacific Northwest! It has been in a private collection in Boulder, Colorado for about 20 years until recently acquired by this store.
Prior to that, it was part of a very old Pacific Northwestern collection of artifacts from the Puget Sound area. The entire estate collection was obtained decades ago from the late Mrs. Henrietta Swanson’s relatives, whose family had early Seattle / NW connections.
The pipe is made from fired-clay and beautifully shows a fish called a Wolf Eel captured in the process of swimming.
This is a delightful, yet RARE pipe that lends its fierce power to the tribes surrounding Puget Sound in prehistory.
A small reed, mouth opening is located just to the left side of its head, while the large smoke bowl is situated at the dorsal region. Multiple circles, grooves, lunate-style markings cover the sides and top of the pipe and accurately depict the Wolf Eel in every detail. The base of the pipe is smooth and flat, and it displays beautifully!
Shaman in the Pacific NW
Shamans were thought to abandon their physical bodies when traveling to the spirit world in a possessed state. At such times, their bodies were said to become transparent so that the inner organs and skeletal structure were made visible. Shaman would often spend much of their lives living in isolated huts away from the villages, where they shunned the company of other people. When their presence in the village was required to perform a cure or other ritual, they donned special garments and masks as a means of establishing contacts with their spirit helpers.
- It was a Shaman's job to cure the sick, to ensure that there was adequate food, and to influence the weather. The belief was that they had the power to do all those things through an ability to communicate with the spirit world.
- Both men and women could have been Shamans, however, they were most often men.
- When someone took ill, it was believed to be an intervention by the spirit world, or a loss of the person's soul. Shamans were the only people who communicated directly with the spirits, so they were the only ones who could cure the sick.
- Shamans wore:
- Bearskin robes
- Aprons
- Rattles
- Skin drums
- Charms
- Necklaces
- Masks (on some occasions)
- Shamans used their rattles to summon up powers from the spirit world. Then they went into a trance, communicating directly with the spirits, asking them to cure the ill person.
- Shamans used their pipes to transform themselves into the Spirit world and communicate with the Spirits.
REFERENCES:
The Spirit World, by the Editors of Time Life, 1992, pgs. 36-42.
Spirit Faces: Contemporary Masks of the Northwest Coast, by Gary Wyatt, 1998.
The Coppers of the Northwest Coast Indians: Their Origin ..., Volume 79, Carol F. Jopling, pgs. 117—119.
Understanding Northwest Coast Art: A Guide to Crests, Beings and Symbols, Cheryl Shearar,
Please examine the attached photos carefully as they are part ofthe description andoffer accordingly.
Note that ruler and stands are NOT part of the sale. Just there to help you determine the size. :)
Please ask any questions you may have before you offer!
All sales are Final, unless I have seriously misrepresented this item!
Member of the Authentic Artifact Collectors Association (AACA) & the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA).
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